In the 12 Step program one hears about “reaching bottom,” the idea that an individual has to get so far down, be in so much pain, before they will start on the road to recovery. Concerned members often pray that their fellows reach a bottom low enough to effect a change. However, although the founders and early members of Alcoholics Anonymous (AA) had very low bottoms before they started their recovery, it was believed that those who followed wouldn’t have to reach such depths, that their bottoms could be ‘higher.’ The solution the 12 Step program offers focuses on a person finding a Power greater than themselves to help them with their problem (alcohol, food, sex, gambling, etc.) and this occurs through having a spiritual experience or spiritual awakening. The book Alcoholics Anonymous quotes Dr. Carl Jung as saying that such experiences “…appear to be in the nature of the huge emotional displacements and rearrangements. Ideas, emotions, and attitudes which were once the guiding forces of the lives of these men are cast to one side, and a completely new set of conceptions and motives begin to dominate them.” (page 27). I believe that reaching bottom applies to not only … Continue reading →

Rog and I left our home in Gilbert at 6:00 AM yesterday so that we could attend the 9:00 AM Unity of Sedona service in the beautiful Red Rock Country of Arizona. We were heading to Sedona anyway so why not incorporate a Sunday morning service and get some extra spiritual nourishment? This Unity church is nestled among the trees of West Sedona, housed in a quaint space with large windows to view nature and more easily feel at One. Just lov-er-ly! The minister’s talk on prosperity was abundant with many messages for me. The main and most powerful one was to bless everything, everyone, all the time. But, perhaps the greatest message – or rather the one I was in greatest need of hearing at that moment – was that when I’m worrying about something or someone, I am not in a spiritually awakened state. Oish! And too, when I am being judgmental or critical, I’m not in a spiritually awakened state. Of course, none of this is news to me – just a great reminder. Now lately I have been feeling at peace in many matters and hence have deemed myself spiritually awakened – at that moment. I … Continue reading →

I will radiate love and good will to others that I may open a channel for God’s love to come to all. – Paramahansa Yogananda As I exude love and good will to those I meet, I engage in a holy encounter – and Spirit is surely with us. Then I feel closer to Spirit, which puts me in the state to exude more love and more goodwill – and again, Spirit is surely with us. This is a wonderfully uplifting spiral for all, one to continue into eternity.

“We are surrounded by infinite Possibility … It can pass into expression through us only as we consciously allow It to do so.” The Science of Mind, page 46. This has been a week full of extra blessings from the Universe, and it became real food for thought yesterday. First, I was delightfully surprised to receive a FedEx envelope containing a $100 gift card with notification that I’d won a runner-up prize for a sweepstakes I’d entered a few months ago and then promptly forgot. It was related to the Super Bowl no less, something I’m not much interested in. An hour later a particularly pleased client gave me an additional $5 in payment. Still later in the day, when I was making plans to meet with a friend tomorrow night for a drink, she made it known that it was to be her treat. A-b-u-n-d-a-n-c-e! So, what’s this all about (Alfie)? I feel like Spirit is showering me with these financial gifts and I am looking for a cause. Like, what did I do to bring this forth so that I can keep doing it to bring more forth? [N.B.: I did not say, “What did I do to … Continue reading →

This poem started materializing in my right brain as I lay in bed this morning debating whether to get up and start the day or hang out underneath the warm flannel sheets. I don’t think I’ve written a poem since learning haiku in elementary school (I’m 53 now!), so this is an astounding occurrence for me. It could only have originated from Spirit.______________________In the wee hours of the morning as I lay in bedI listen for messages from GodI so yearn to be at peace, hear God’s guidance, and be led. Morning is a special time for serenity and peaceIn prayer and meditation I findIt’s the opportune space for the connection that I seek. As I go about my day focused on God, life goes wellI’m never far from Source or my goodWalking with Spirit, being in my heart, I choose to dwell. – Joyce S. Kaye